The Gut Microbiome During Pregnancy

Abstract

Gut microbiota is symbiotic and interdependent with human body. Intestinal probiotics are colonized in the human gastrointestinal tract, which can improve the host intestinal microenvironment and enhance the intestinal function and immune function of the human body. A small number of opportunistic pathogens exist in the intestinal tract. Once the number of pathogens exceeds the threshold of intestinal tolerance, the intestinal micro-ecological balance can be destroyed, and various diseases may thus develop. Pregnancy is a special status with different physiologic changing stages. In the meanwhile, alterations in the gut microbiome populations occur, which can promote the differentiation, development, and maturation of fetal organs by affecting maternal metabolism. Compared with normal pregnant women, great changes in the gastrointestinal function and gut microbiome may take place in pregnant women with pregnancy-related complications, in which these changes include the number, species, and intestinal translocation. The composition of the maternal gut microbiome could contribute to pregnancy and obstetric outcomes, and long-term health of mother and child. The relationships of pregnancy to gut microbiome have attracted an increasing attention in recent years. This article will provide a summary review of the research studies of gut microbiome in normal pregnant women versus abnormal pregnancy women with complications.

The Dynamic Changes in the Composition and Diversity of Vaginal Microbiota in Women of Different Pregnancy Periods

“…Intestinal probiotics can improve the host's intestinal microenvironment, helping the body improve its intestinal and immune functions. Probiotics can control pregnancy weight gain and reduce complications of pregnancy by inducing changes in the intestinal microbiome during pregnancy [29]. Nordqvist et al [30] found that the consumption of specific probiotics by pregnant women can significantly reduce the incidence of premature birth in early pregnancy and significantly reduce the incidence of PE in late pregnancy.…”

Physiological Changes and Interactions Between Microbiome and the Host During Pregnancy

“…Some researchers have concluded that these changes are temporary and of no significance ( DiGiulio et al., 2015 ; Yang et al., 2020 ), whereas others have found that insertion of human gut microbes from the third trimester into mice leads to weight gain and more pronounced low-grade inflammation ( Turjeman et al., 2021 ). Furthermore, all alterations in the gut microbiome directly influence maternal metabolism ( Paul et al., 2018 ), which, in turn, impacts the development and growth of fetal organs ( Jiang et al., 2021 ).…”

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy and lactation: A scoping review of effects on the maternal and infant gut microbiome

“…The maternal and infant gut microbiome, although located in the gastrointestinal tract, are related to health and well-being of the maternal and infant dyad. During gestation, the maternal gut microbiome is thought to produce metabolites with the potential to affect the pregnancy and maturation of fetal tissues and systems ( Jiang et al, 2023 ). Short-chain fatty acids produced by the gut microbiome are widely recognized for their influence on systemic physiology and have been shown to affect maternal weight gain, glucose metabolism, hormone homeostasis, and blood pressure ( Edwards et al, 2017 ).…”